The Seattle Mariners admitted their mistakes just 27 games into the 2008 season and called up Jeff Clement and Wladimir Balentien Wednesday.
Balentien will be in the lineup batting seventh versus the Cleveland Indians and Cliff Lee.
Brad Wilkerson and Greg Norton were the victims. Wilkerson had to go, there’s very little use for him if he’s not going to hit. Norton, however, was the wrong choice.
The 35-year-old veteran switch hitter has value off the bench. Miguel Cairo does not.
But I don’t want to dwell on the relatively small negative portion of the days moves. John McLaren and Bill Bavasi actually deserve a round of applause for not waiting to admit the veterans aren’t getting the job done, and for giving the young bats a chance.
We can complain all day long about why Cairo should have been jettisoned rather than Norton, who will not clear waivers, and how Wlad should be playing left, shifting Ibanez to right, but let’s just sit back and watch a developing hitter with a chance to to produce get four at-bats instead of massively declining veteran.
It’s not the Mariners Way, so unless McLaren is simply, and rightfully, unwilling to hang his neck on the line for veterans that aren’t getting it done, enjoy the two new upgrades.
The Mariners are a vastly better team today than they were yesterday - as long as both bats are used regularly.
Neither is going to come up and max out immediately, but Clement is a patient left-handed bat with plenty of extra-base hit power. He may hit but .250, but is likely to post solid on-base numbers to go with the pop.
Balentien doesn’t possess the plate skills that Clement brings to the table, but he covers the plate, covers right field well and will cover the daylights out of a fastball middle-in.
This is really fun. Two of the club’s top three young talents are soon-to-be former prospects.
Tomorrow we’ll open a discussion about what the club should do if June ends and Clement and Balentien are giving the club very little.
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Assuming Sexson continues struggling(I’d bet on it continuing), is LaHair even an option? He’s hitting very well in Tacoma, but I’m not positive if he is a MLB player.
Who are potential replacements for Richie?
Raul Ibanez is the top option to replace Sexson, if that time comes.
Which means they’d have to trade for a corner outfielder.
But Sexson is probably going to hang onto his job for a lot longer. He’s hitting on the road, and if the weather helps him at Safeco a bit, it’d be hard to justify bringing up Reed.
I forgot about moving Raul there, just because it seems so unlikely the M’s would ever do such a thing.
Jason,
With the dumping of Wilkerson, don’t they have to move to an 11 man pitching staff and call up Reed or dump Cairo for Reed? I just can’t see Willie being the 4th outfielder.
Willie already is the 4th outfielder.
Nothing has changed there.
I assumed that Willie being the 4th outfielder was temporary (that’s why Jimerson was up originally). Are they really comfortable with Willie there all year?
Do you think Norton will stay with this organization and be sent to the minors?
Sorry, but DFAing Norton was stupid. He brings more to the plate then Vidro and he is agood replacement for Sexson if he continues to struggle. I do not understand their way of thinking. Cairo does nothing that WB can do.
I meant that WB can’t do.
I’m glad the Mariners finally made some intelligent moves. While I wish we would have kept Norton, I’m glad Clement and Wlad are up. Know what sucks though? About half an hour before the annoucement came out I bought tickets to the Rainiers game on Friday with the thought of, “better go see Wlad and Clement soon because they won’t be here much longer.” Guess I underestimated the timeline a little bit.
The Rainiers only received one new player - so far - to replenish their roster.
Erick Monzon, who’s an overaged, non-prospect infielder who can play a little outfield, too.
Not sure if Adam Moore on his way to Tacoma or not, but he is not in West Tenn’s lineup tonight.
I’ll fill ya in if I get more.
ac,
Tui’s still in town.
In one game Wlad has more home runs then Wilk had all year. Keep it coming.
Someone over Mariner Central comped Wilkerson and Vlad so far…
Wilky 56 AB 1 R, 5 RBI, 0 HR
Wlad 3 AB 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR
Vlad should have Wilky passed up by the weekend. Good grief I no idea Wilkerson was THAT bad.
Vlad has rounder Wilkerson a couple times so far, but Wlad should have Wilk passed by rather quickly.
Jason,
You’re right, at least Tui is still there. It’d be awesome to see Saunders, but I doubt he’ll get the call. It’ll be interesting to see LaHair in person this year as well.
Jason,
Is Denny Almonte in the organization still? I can’t seem to find him on any of the rosters.
He is, but he’s not on a full-season roster.
Jason have you heard or seen anything more on Suda and the other asian kid the M’s signed?
Is Wlad projected to be a LF eventually, and we’re just too stubborn to move Ibanez, or you just think it would improve us for the time being although RF may be Wlad’s in the future?
Just velocity on both guys.
Suda in the low-to-mid 90s, Wang in the low 90s but with more projection left.
I have also been told than Suda throws a forkball and slurve, and Wang uses a hard splitter and a curve ball with depth.
Both are in extended spring training and will see time in Peoria, Pulaski or Everett barring injury this summer.
Jason similer to huhwhat’s question, do you know where Nuniez, Dejesus, and Noriega are starting this year? Short season I assume.
Too bad Morrow hasn’t been groomed as a SP. I’m thinking by the all star break Washburn and/or Batista won’t be able to cut it anymore. Problem is Fbend is the only SP ready to take a role, but I’m not sure how big of an improvement he would be.
Dickey could be an option, but he’s a little suspect as well IMO.
So many holes on a “win now” team.
I’m the last person in Mariners land to find out about this news…
Props to the M’s for realizing their mistakes, and making positive changes less than a month into the season!!!
Corey,
They aren’t going to sack Batista or Washburn anyway. Both are owed tons of money. It would take an injury to get them out of the rotation.
Byt they are the least of the Mariners worries right now.
dubs,
Yes, those guys are either in extended, or working out visa issues to get there.
None were going to make full-season rosters anyway.
Jason is it me or has Washburn lost at least 5 mph on his velocity?
He is throwing like Moyer without the location and changeup.
It’s not you, Washburn sat 83-88 today, mostly hitting 84-86.
It’s a miracle he fanned seven in 4+.
It’s possible he isn’t healthy.
But he has been doing this after his first year with the club. The decline in velocity is troubling.
If he isn`t healthy how long will it take for the team to figure it out?
Nah, mostly in 07 Wash was 87-90. That’s been typical of him since 05.
As pitchers age, they lose velo, it’s normal.
But Washburn at 84 isn’t right. His arm speed doesn’t appear to be much off, and his delivery is identical to 06-07, so that tells me his arm is either fatigued or he’s hurt.
We should be expecting 86-89 from Wash, since he’s throwing a lot more two-seamers versus the 4.